# NTSB SEA84LA181: Piper PA-28-151, N8732E, Creswell, OR, July 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1984, 22:41 local (Jul 21, 1984, 05:41 UTC)
- Place: Creswell, OR
- Location: 43.9494° N, 123.1038° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from HOBBY FLD (77S), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9494&lon=-123.1038&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39974
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA84LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39974/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA181

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s)
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A NIGHT VFR FLT FROM SAN CARLOS, CA, TO EUGENE, OR, WHEN THE PLT ASKED APCH CONTROL HOW FOR AWAY THE ARPT WAS. ATC INFORMED THE PLT THAT THE ARPT WAS 16 MILES FURTHER. ABOUT 3 MINUTES LATER, THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTIED. THE PLT SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK AND DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. HE THEN ASKED FOR VECTORS TO THE NEAREST ARPT. A HEADING OF 050 DEGREES WAS GIVEN TO THE ARPT. THE ACFT HIT SEVERAL TREES ABOUT 4 MILES SHORT OF THE ARPT AND CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8732E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8732E-1985-01-22), registration cancelled 1985-01-22, S/N 28-7615155 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7615155
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Ryan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1984
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Destination: EUG, EUGENE, OR
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 77S, Hobby

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 208 total, 13 in this make and model, 168 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EUG, 15 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840720036289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840720036289A), Jul 20, 1984: Piper PA28151, Creswell, OR, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route at night. Struck trees trying for a nearby airport.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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